Sen. Tim Scott: The American Dream Starts With Education

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., discussed the power of education in transforming lives, including his own, at CPAC on Thursday. Scott talked about the difficulties of growing up a poor kid in a single parent household and his struggles in school. “I failed civics. Now think about that—a United States Senator who failed civics. I used to think I was the only one and then I became a member of the Senate and I realized there might be a few more who didn’t pass civics either,” he joked.

It was a mentor Scott met that would change his life and teach him that he could think his way out of poverty. “[He] taught me that if you really want to escape poverty, it comes through the power of education,” he said. “That’s one of the reasons why my Opportunity Agenda understands the necessity of a good education … it believes that kids, not unions, should be the focus of our public education. That parents and not bureaucrats in Washington should decide the path of their child’s education … because when it’s the parents' choice, the kids have a chance.”

In an exclusive interview with Townhall after his speech, Scott elaborated on some of the points he made on stage. He explained why education really does open the door to opportunity and the American Dream, and how his Opportunity Agenda will help all Americans realize their potential.